Magnetic Bag Closure System

ABSTRACT

A system and method for sealing containers such as bags using a sealing apparatus including handles connected to sealing strips, such as magnetic strips, for pulling apart the sealing strips to allow insertion of the container, which may be a bag holding a substance such as food or non-food items. The sealing apparatus can be provided as a separate device, or made integral with the container.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 62/994,047 filed on Mar. 24, 2020, incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Bags and other containers of food, in particular snack foods and drygoods, can get stale, spill, leak, or get contaminated once opened. Theycan degrade upon the entry of oxygen or other contaminants. A reliablemeans of preventing one or more of such problems for opened bags orcontainers is desired.

SUMMARY

This System has many applications and uses. The primary use is intendedto magnetically seal an open-ended bag. The System includes a sealingapparatus that is installed on an open bag by pulling apart opposinghandles, sliding the bag up through the opening of sealing tape stripsto about one inch above the top of the strip, and releasing the handlesand, if necessary, guiding the sealing strips so that the sealing stripsseal to each other. To retrieve desired contents from the bag, thehandles are pulled apart unsealing the sealing strips, and contents canbe retrieved with one hand holding a handle while using the other handto retrieve contents.

Provided are a plurality of example embodiments, including, but notlimited to, a apparatus for sealing a bag, comprising: a first magneticstrip connected to a second magnetic strip at opposite ends of thestrips such that an inner surface of said first magnetic strip isconfigured to removably form a magnetic seal with an inner surface ofsaid second magnetic strip; a first handle connected to said firstmagnetic strip using a first connecting structure; and a second handleconnected to said second magnetic strip using a second connectingstructure, wherein said apparatus is configured such that pulling saidfirst handle and said second handle away from each other opens a gapbetween said first magnetic strip and said second magnetic strip, saidgap being configured to receive the end of an open bag, and wherein saidfirst magnetic strip and said second magnetic strip are configured tosubstantially seal the open end of bag using magnetic force.

Also provided is a method of sealing an open bag comprising the stepsof:

-   -   providing an apparatus for sealing a bag, comprising: a first        magnetic strip connected to a second magnetic strip at opposite        ends of the strips such that an inner surface of said first        magnetic strip is configured to removably form a magnetic seal        with an inner surface of said second magnetic strip, a first        handle connected to said first magnetic strip using a first        connecting structure, and a second handle connected to said        second magnetic strip using a second connecting structure;    -   pulling said first handle and said second handle away from each        other to open a gap between said first magnetic strip and said        second magnetic strip;    -   placing a bag having an open end between said gap between said        first magnetic strip and said second magnetic strip; and    -   using the magnetic force between said first magnetic strip and        said second magnetic strip to substantially seal the open end of        the bag.

Still further provided is the above method further comprising the stepsof:

-   -   pulling the first and second handles apart to separate the first        strip from said second strip;    -   removing the bag from the apparatus; and    -   placing a new bag having an open end between the gap between        said first magnetic strip and said second magnetic strip; and    -   using the magnetic force between said first magnetic strip and        said second magnetic strip to substantially seal the open end of        the new bag.

Also provided are additional example embodiments, some, but not all ofwhich, are described hereinbelow in more detail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the example embodiments described hereinwill become apparent to those skilled in the art to which thisdisclosure relates upon reading the following description, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of a top view of an example sealingapparatus with handles extended and the sealing strips open;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic drawing of one side view of the example sealingapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic drawing of an end view of the example sealingapparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a side view of the example apparatus ofFIGS. 1-3 attached to a bag for sealing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed is a system including a sealing apparatus that can be used toseal a container such as a bag that holds snacks, cooking ingredients,candy, or other foods. The system can also be used for bags that holdnon-food items, such as screws, nails, paperclips, rubber bands,garbage, or other such items. The sealing apparatus provides a secureand mostly air-tight seal for protecting the contents of the bag.Generally, a sealing apparatus is provided that can adapt an open bagfor sealing the bag in manner that allows for easy re-opening andresealing of the bag in a repeatable fashion.

A simplified drawing of an embodiment is shown with various views inFIGS. 1-4. This embodiment is comprised of two closing strips 1, 2, ofequal or mostly equal length which can be comprised of magnetic tape (orother type of magnetic strips or thin bars) with a covering on exteriorlongitudinal panels. The magnetic tape/strip is preferably flexible, butcould be stiff and rigid, if desired. This magnetic strip provides asealing force due to the magnetic attraction of one strip to the other.Note that other types of sealing solutions could be used, such as byusing hook and loop fasteners for the respective strips, or staticallycharged materials, or materials that provide an affinity for sticking toeach other like some plastics. However, strips using magnetic forces forattraction are preferable for the strength of the closing force, thelongevity of their lifetimes, the quality of the sealing, and the easeof cleaning.

Pull apart handles 4, 6 are provided on each exterior (opposite) side ofthe magnetic strips that can affixed by adhesive or spot welding torespective handle connectors 3, 5, that are then fastened to respectiveones of the magnetic strips 1, 2, such as on each outer side of themagnetic strip. The handle connectors 3, 5, can be fastened to themagnetic strips 1, 2 using an adhesive or spot welding, for example, oran adhesive provided on the magnetic strip (i.e., as a tape). As shownby the Example of FIG. 3, the handles 4, 6 can be cylindrical in shapewith circular cross-sections for ease of gripping. The handles 4, 6, canbe made out of solid or tubular (hollow) plastic, rubber, PVC, wood ornon-magnetic metal.

In some embodiments, the handles 4, 6, may be configured with therespective handle connectors 3, 5 as an integral component of the same,or different, material. In particular, an integrated solution usingplastic or rubber for structure would be beneficial.

Preferably, both handles can be provided with an outer diameter of about0.5 inches up to about 0.75 inches, and are preferably rounded smooth oneach end. Lengths of between 3 to 6 inches are beneficial, althoughdifferent lengths can be used. The handles may be manufactured as onemolded piece, integral or separate from the handle connectors. Texturedrubber grips can be provided to help make the handles functionally easyto hold and use. As mentioned, they may be hollow, such as using acylindrical tube such as a pipe, to make them lightweight butstructurally strong.

As shown by the end view of FIG. 3, the handle connectors 3, 5 may beconfigured as an “L” shaped bracket-like shape having an exteriorvertical wall on one leg of the “L” which can be affixed to the outsidepanel of the magnetic tape strip via adhesive or spot welding, forexample. Alternatively, flexible materials or thin sheets of materialmay comprise the handle connectors for connecting the handles to themagnetic strips. The connectors could be constructed of plasticsheeting, nylon mesh fabric, or various types of double-sided adhesivetapes, as desired. Or they can comprise plastic brackets for morestrength.

As an alternative, the handle connectors could be formed into a “T”shape at an end such that they are connected to said sealing stripsalong a center line of the strips, rather than at an end (edge) of thestrip as shown in FIG. 3. Note that this structure could be thin filmsor strips, or rigid brackets.

The magnetic strips can be fastened at each end using respective stripconnectors 7, 8, such as by using a non-magnetic type post, rivet,machine stitch, screw, spot weld, staple, glue, or end type clamp. Themagnetic faces of the strips that will seal the bag should abut withoutany interference to ensure a complete magnetic air-tight seal for thesystem. Decorative fabric, material, or colored paint on the exteriorface of the magnetic strips and/or other components is optional fordecorative purposes, as desired.

The sealing apparatus can be separately made for subsequent applicationto an existing bag, such that it can be sold separately for use with anydesired bag or other container to be sealed. Various lengths,thicknesses, and magnetic strengths could be used for differentapplications. Provided are a variety of sizes of closing structures thatwill be applicable to several different sizes of bags. Or the devicemight be sold in a kit-form with adjustable sizing, such as by cuttingand connecting the magnetic strips together at the desired length.

Alternatively, the sealing apparatus can be made integral with the bag,and sold with the bag and, where desired, with the bag's contents. Insuch a solution the bag would be permanently fixed to the sealingapparatus, such as by using a glue, fastener, spot weld, staple, orother structural component such that each of the strips are permanentlyaffixed to opposite sides of the bag, for example. Or the sealingapparatus may be made integral with the bag. Note that bags integratedwith the sealing apparatus can be sold as generic containers for food orother items, and many different sizes, strengths, and volumes could beprovided.

This System has many applications and uses. The primary use is intendedto use an appropriately sized closing structure to magnetically seal anopen-ended bag of the user's choice by action of the magnetic stripsattracting each other and closing the open end of the bag, such as shownin the example of FIG. 4.

The system is installed on an open bag by pulling apart the opposinghandles of the sealing apparatus, sliding the bag up through the openingof the magnetic tape strips to some distance, such as at least one inchabove the top of the strip, and releasing the handles so that themagnetic tape strips seal to each other thereby closing the bag providedbetween them. To retrieve desired contents from the bag, the handles arepulled apart unsealing the magnetic strips, and contents can beretrieved with one hand holding a handle while using the other hand toretrieve contents. Means of more securely attaching the strips to thebag can be provided, if desired, such as using a temporary adhesive(like a rubber cement) or a sticky tape or some such mechanism.

The above solution would be ideal to seal bags of potato or corn chipsor other snacks, cookies, crackers, flour, sugar, candy, grains, orother foods or non-food items such as nuts, bolts, screws, string, etc.

For embodiments using sealing strips other than magnetic strips, thesealing process may require that the strips be manually put into contactwith each other, such as for hook and loop fasteners, to properly seal.Even magnetic strips may benefit by manually pushing the strips togetherto ensure proper sealing. When necessary, the opposing surfaces of thesealing strips may be cleaned to ensure a tight and secure fit and seal.A sealing surface such as felt or some other cloth or other soft orflexible material might be placed on the opposing surfaces of thesealing strips to aid in sealing, and such items may be replaceable toextend the life of the apparatus.

This System can be used to seal bagged food or storage items in theiroriginal containers (bags). The most general application is to seal anopen-ended plastic bag of chips or crackers or flour or sugar or otherfoods to air seal in lasting freshness. Also bagged bakery items can beair sealed such as a loaf of bread, buns, bagels, muffins, tortillas andtaco shells that are typically twist tied or plastic clipped from thestore. Another beneficial use is to air seal a bag that has, forexample, a manufacturer zip lock but has failed. The System can be usedto reseal bulk popcorn or salty snack bags or a bag or block of cheese.This System can be used for LDPE plastic bags, some thin non-waxed paperbags and most bulk snack thicker plastic bags or bags of otherconstruction, such as cloth, mylar, etc. It can be used on foil-likecoffee bags. In some circumstances, the assembled system only seals fromspillage, and may not provide air-tight freshness. Other designs canmore effectively make an air-tight seal, such as for keeping food freshand non-stale. The System can be used at room or air temperature and inthe refrigerator above freezing, or even in the freezer when componentsare designed for the colder temperatures.

Hence, the sealing strips substantially seal the open bag by providingan effective barrier against air and preventing spillage (leakage) ofthe contents of the bag.

This System provides a market solution to the problem of a plastic orpaper or mylar bag not being self-resealing across the entire top widthof the bag. It also provides a resealing solution to any plastic baggedfood item where the manufacturer zip lock has failed. Additionally, itgreatly benefits individuals with arthritis and those who have manualmotor physical challenges who cannot easily use other types of bag clipsor bag closure systems without discomfort or pain.

Note that the system can be further extended to use for non-food itemsas well, such as for small parts, toys, or other items that are to beheld in a bag that can be repeatedly opened and closed. This systemoffers a more durable way to seal a bag versus zip lock bags currentlyon the market, that may get gummed up with food or dirt making theiroperation fail.

Many other example embodiments can be provided through variouscombinations of the above described features. Although the embodimentsdescribed hereinabove use specific examples and alternatives, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that various additionalalternatives may be used and equivalents may be substituted for elementsand/or steps described herein, without necessarily deviating from theintended scope of the application. Modifications may be necessary toadapt the embodiments to a particular situation or to particular needswithout departing from the intended scope of the application. It isintended that the application not be limited to the particular exampleimplementations and example embodiments described herein, but that theclaims be given their broadest reasonable interpretation to cover allnovel and non-obvious embodiments, literal or equivalent, disclosed ornot, covered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for sealing a bag, comprising: afirst magnetic strip connected to a second magnetic strip at oppositeends of the strips such that an inner surface of said first magneticstrip is configured to removably form a magnetic seal with an innersurface of said second magnetic strip; a first handle connected to saidfirst magnetic strip using a first connecting structure; and a secondhandle connected to said second magnetic strip using a second connectingstructure, wherein said apparatus is configured such that pulling saidfirst handle and said second handle away from each other opens a gapbetween said first magnetic strip and said second magnetic strip, saidgap being configured to receive the end of an open bag, and wherein saidfirst magnetic strip and said second magnetic strip are configured tosubstantially seal the open end of bag using magnetic force.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said first handle and said second handleare cylindrical in shape.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein saidfirst handle and said second handle are comprised of a plastic material.4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first handle and said secondhandle are configured as hollow cylinders.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said first connecting structure is integral with said firsthandle, and wherein said second connecting structure is integral withsaid second handle.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said firstconnecting structure is attached to said first magnetic strip using anadhesive, and wherein said second connecting structure is attached tosaid second magnetic strip using the adhesive.
 7. The apparatus of claim1, wherein said first magnetic strip is connected to said secondmagnetic strip using a respective connector at each of the oppositeends.
 8. An apparatus for sealing a bag, comprising: a first magneticstrip connected to a second magnetic strip at opposite ends of thestrips such that an inner surface of said first magnetic strip isconfigured to removably form a magnetic seal with an inner surface ofsaid second magnetic strip; a first handle including a plastic formedinto a hollow cylinder, said first handle being connected to said firstmagnetic strip using a first connecting structure; and a second handleincluding a plastic formed into a hollow cylinder, said second handlebeing connected to said second magnetic strip using a second connectingstructure, wherein said apparatus is configured such that pulling saidfirst handle and said second handle away from each other opens a gapbetween said first magnetic strip and said second magnetic strip, saidgap being configured to receive the end of an open bag, and wherein saidfirst magnetic strip and said second magnetic strip are configured tosubstantially seal the open end of bag using magnetic force.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein said first connecting structure isintegral with said first handle, and wherein said second connectingstructure is integral with said second handle.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein said first connecting structure is attached to saidfirst magnetic strip using an adhesive, and wherein said secondconnecting structure is attached to said second magnetic strip using theadhesive.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said first magneticstrip is connected to said second magnetic strip using a respectiveconnector at each of the opposite ends.
 12. A method of sealing an openbag comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus for sealing a bag,comprising: a first magnetic strip connected to a second magnetic stripat opposite ends of the strips such that an inner surface of said firstmagnetic strip is configured to removably form a magnetic seal with aninner surface of said second magnetic strip, a first handle connected tosaid first magnetic strip using a first connecting structure, and asecond handle connected to said second magnetic strip using a secondconnecting structure; pulling said first handle and said second handleaway from each other to open a gap between said first magnetic strip andsaid second magnetic strip; placing a bag having an open end betweensaid gap between said first magnetic strip and said second magneticstrip; and using the magnetic force between said first magnetic stripand said second magnetic strip to substantially seal the open end of thebag.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said bag is used to store food.14. The method of claim 12, wherein said bag is used to store non-fooditems.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said first handle and saidsecond handle are cylindrical in shape.
 16. The method of claim 15,wherein said first handle and said second handle are comprised of aplastic material.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said first handleand said second handle are configured as hollow cylinders.
 18. Themethod of claim 12, further comprising the step of unsealing the bag bypulling the first and second handles apart to separate the first stripfrom said second strip.
 19. The method of claim 12, further comprisingthe steps of: pulling the first and second handles apart to separate thefirst strip from said second strip; removing the bag from the apparatus;and placing a new bag having an open end between the gap between saidfirst magnetic strip and said second magnetic strip; and using themagnetic force between said first magnetic strip and said secondmagnetic strip to substantially seal the open end of the new bag.